triptych

noun

trip·​tych ˈtrip-(ˌ)tik 

1

a

: a picture (such as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side

b

: something composed or presented in three parts or sections

especially : trilogy

2

: an ancient Roman writing tablet with three waxed leaves hinged together

Did you know?

Triptych Has Greek Roots

A painted or carved triptych typically has three hinged panels, and the two outer panels can be folded in towards the central one. A literary or musical triptych generally consists of three closely related or contrasting themes or parts. Triptych derives from the Greek triptychos ("having three folds"), formed by combining tri- ("three") and ptychē ("fold" or "layer"). Although triptych originally described a specific type of Roman writing tablet that had three hinged sections, it is not surprising that the idea was generalized first to a type of painting, and then to anything composed of three parts.

Examples of triptych in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cut to: a 26-foot-long triptych that takes up a wall at the Barnes and is entitled The Splendid Table, finished in 2020. —Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025

It was flanked by two large monitors, creating a triptych. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025

Spirited sophistication flourishes within its walls: an Ai Weiwei triptych hangs under a ceiling covered in original frescoes, and in my room, rosy-pink Gucci wallpaper depicted herons and dragonflies. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025

The events of this season-opening triptych put a great strain on that, but Marvin doesn’t buckle. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek triptychos having three folds, from tri- + ptychē fold

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for triptych

• cryptic
• diptych
• styptic
• tryptic
• apocalyptic
• ecliptic
• elliptic

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